Former Gaffney police officer charged with assault

GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) - A former Gaffney police officer has been charged with assault on an inmate at the Cherokee County jail.

Court records show that Billy Hyatt, a former sergeant, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery.

The records show Hyatt was suspended in September after a report of an assault at the jail. The records show that several days later he talked with the police chief and resigned.

The State Law Enforcement Division handled the investigation.

Joshua Dewayne Rankin, 33, of Gaffney was taken to the jail Sept. 16 on a domestic violence charged. City officials have said Rankin was wearing handcuffs when he was attacked. Rankin was taken to a hospital for treatment before he was returned to the jail.

Hyatt’s report said Ranking threatened him and then jerked away from the officer and fell into a wall.

Hyatt had been in law enforcement since 2007 when he went to work at the Cherokee County jail. He became a police officer for the Gaffney Police Department in 2010.

If convicted, Hyatt could be sentenced to up to 30 days in a jail and fined $500. It was not known if he had an attorney.